Domesticated animals rely on their owners for the food and care they need to survive, but animals in shelters don't have owners to take care of them. Animal caretakers feed, groom, bathe and care for animals that don't have owners. Some animal caretakers work with animals in settings like zoos and aquariums, but caretakers usually work with cats and dogs in shelters and kennels.

Average Income

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average annual income of animal caretakers was $22,000 in May 2011. The average wage of workers in the occupation was $10.58 an hour. The annual income estimate the bureau provides is calculated by multiplying average hourly wages by 2,080 hours of annual work. Median income of animal caretakers was $19,510, so half of workers made less than $19,510 and half earned more.

Income Range

Workers with job experience, education or specialized skills can earn more than the average for an occupation, while new workers often earn less than the average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the top 10 percent of animal caretakers earned annual incomes exceeding $31,210 in May 2011, while workers in the bottom 10 percent made less than $16,310. Half of workers in the occupations had annual incomes between 17,640 and $24,100.

Top States

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Washington D.C. was the highest-paying state for animal caretakers in May 2011 and that workers in the area earned $31,240 on average. Caretakers in Hawaii earned $28,890 on average, workers in Alaska earned $26,870 on average and workers in Connecticut made $26,230 on average. California employed the most animal caretakers in the nation, where they made $23,220 a year on average.

Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Caretakers

Veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers feed animals and clean cages in veterinary clinics and lab settings. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that vet assistants and laboratory animal caretakers earned $24,430 on average in May 2011. The top 10 percent of workers in the field made more than $34,970 a year, the bottom 10 percent earned less than $16,970 a year and the middle 50 percent made between $19,010 and $28,370 a year.